Kane Jones’ timing was on the money when he sounded out employment possibilities with New Zealand Bloodstock.
Toward the end of his student days, he contacted the Karaka company who responded positively, and he’s since risen to the senior position of Bloodstock Sales Manager.
“I went to Hawera High School and then to Massey University in Palmerston North, I knew my limitations early in the piece and that I didn’t have the capacity to be a vet, so I chose Animal Science and got a degree in that,” Jones said.
“One of the best things I ever did was to email Andrew Seabrook at NZB about six months prior to graduating and asked if he could keep me on the radar.
“To his credit he did, and it was fortuitous that a position became available in air freight just as I was completing my final exam.
“I got an email from the manager Greg Northcott who asked me to apply. I did and a few days later I had the job.”
That was in 2009, and Jones was a quick and willing learner during his nine years in the role.
“It was a great base, and I worked under and with some really good people and met a lot of our clients and people we deal with on a day-to-day basis,” he said.
“I looked after all of Asia and the Northern Hemisphere, except for Hong Kong, and that was when Singapore was very, very busy.
“We had flights there every few weeks and also sent a lot of horses to Malaysia, Macau, mainland China and South Korea.
“It was a very busy logistics job and very thankful that I did get on the planes now and then and visited all those countries.”
Fourteen years later, Jones jumped at the opportunity to join NZB’s bloodstock department.
“Andrew (Seabrook) knew I had a desire to be in the bloodstock team and when a position became available, I was given first option,” he said.
“I started as a bloodstock rep working under Danny Rolston and was involved in yearling inspections and selections, promoting the sales and assisting clients with their purchases, portfolio management, advice and touched on valuations and various other aspects of bloodstock.”
In 2023, Jones was appointed Bloodstock Sales Manager following Rolston’s departure to the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“I’m very, very grateful to have worked under Danny and have all the respect in the world for him, both professionally and personally,” he said.
“When he told me was leaving it was a bit of a shock, but it certainly opened a door for me and I’m really enjoying the challenge.
“I’m still involved in the same tasks and oversee the bloodstock team, which is a small core until with my team of Andrew Buick and Patrick Cunningham.
“In the wider bloodstock team, we’ve also got John Cameron and beyond that a number of agents and reps around the country and the world.
“My role on the Bloodstock Agents’ Federation is different to the independent members, in that I represent the sales company and the other bloodstock agents at NZB who all do an outstanding job.”
Jones hails from Taranaki where he developed an early passion for the thoroughbred game.
“I was born and raised in Hawera where my parents Wayne and Liz had a small farm, I grew up around horses, and they always had a racehorse or broodmare in a paddock,” he said.
“I always enjoyed helping Dad out and going to trackwork with him.
“I’ve had a passion for horses from a young age and have ridden, but never really had that desire and felt much more comfortable on the ground.”
As soon as he turned 18, Jones furthered his involvement.
“I started to breed and race horses with the family and that always makes it more special,” he said.
Q & A
Do you remember the first horse you bought?
“It was Alpha Pukeko with my father and we bought him as a yearling in Australia for A$31,000, he won six of his 24 starts and was stakes placed.”
Do you have any sale day superstitions?
“Not as such, but when I’m inspecting horses I write certain characteristics and features in certain parts of the catalogue page, I don’t know if that’s a superstition or bordering on OCD.”
Best horse(s) you’ve ever bought or being associated with?
“During COVID, I did recommend and buy Tokyo Tycoon ($50,000) as a weanling for an Australian-based client. He went on to win the Karaka Millions and was champion two-year-old. My family also bred Lim’s Solitaro under the Onyx Thoroughbreds banner and sold him out of the trials, he won the Singapore Triple Crown and beat the older horses in the Raffles Cup.”
Do you have a favourite nick/cross when sourcing yearlings?
“Not really, but I like to see a yearling out of a good broodmare sire and successful broodmare sires right down the page.”
Most memorable day at the races?
“When Alpha Pukeko won his first race, it was a midweek race at New Plymouth and I don’t think I’ve ever screamed so loud, I’ll never forget that day. Also, when Tokyo Tycoon won the Karaka Millions was so memorable for different reasons, but very proud.”
